Signed Book GA-3-WW-Chance Meetings-Madhu B. Wangu-Ends 6/21 | Miki's Hope

Signed Book GA-3-WW-Chance Meetings-Madhu B. Wangu-Ends 6/21

Monday, June 1, 2015


I had no idea what to expect when I agreed to read and review this compilation of short stories. I didn't expect to be enthralled with each and every one of these what can only be called parables. According to the definition in Wikipedia the Characteristics of Parables are

" A parable is a short tale that illustrates a universal truth; it is a simple narrative. It sketches a setting, describes an action, and shows the results. It may sometimes be distinguished from similar narrative types, such as the allegory and the apologue.[5]

A parable often involves a character who faces a moral dilemma or one who makes a bad decision and then suffers the unintended consequences. Although the meaning of a parable is often not explicitly stated, it is not intended to be hidden or secret but, on the contrary, quite straightforward and obvious.[6]

The defining characteristic of the parable is the presence of a subtext suggesting how a person should behave or what he should believe. Aside from providing guidance and suggestions for proper conduct in one's life, parables frequently use metaphorical language which allows people to more easily discuss difficult or complex ideas. Parables express an abstract argument by means of using a concrete narrative which is easily understood.

The allegory is a more general narrative type; it also employs metaphor. Like the parable, the allegory makes a single, unambiguous point. An allegory may have multiple noncontradictory interpretations and may also have implications that are ambiguous or hard to interpret. As H.W. Fowler put it, the object of both parable and allegory "is to enlighten the hearer by submitting to him a case in which he has apparently no direct concern, and upon which therefore a disinterested judgment may be elicited from him, ..."[5] The parable is more condensed than the allegory: it rests upon a single principle and a single moral, and it is intended that the reader or listener shall conclude that the moral applies equally well to his own concerns."


Each and every one of these tales uses cause and effect to make it's point and does it succinctly and well. This writer knows how to write a short story which is also a parable-it is rare that I can get into them the way I did these. All I can tell you is that I will be going back to re read many if not most of these time and again. There is much to be learned about life and how you should live it no matter the religion you follow!



NEW RELEASE......

In this eloquent collection of stories twelve different people from different walks of life discover how one chance meeting with a stranger can change a person forever. Madhu B. Wangu draws from her own Indian-American heritage and examines the lives of ordinary people facing challenging circumstances—cruelty, prejudiced minds, twisted family relationships, unhappy marriages—and demonstrates how these situations transcend ethnicity and background as interactions with strangers force each character to look deep within themselves, often acknowledging painful truths and long-held secrets, in order to seize control of their own destinies and forge their own paths to independence and happiness.

Madhu Bazaz Wangu poignantly weaves a universal message that ties the characters in these stories together, one that applies to anyone who has experienced poverty, jealousy, fear, prejudice, disillusionment, and above all, the feeling of being a foreigner, even within one’s own family.

Book available to buy from...


"Beautiful, lush, lyrical stories and rhythmic language transports and transforms--each story is an unforgettable journey." - Kathleen Shoop, IPPY Award-Winning Author of The Last Letter and After the Fog

"A skilled practitioner, Madhu B. Wangu, writes from the marrow of her bones. In her collection, she conjures dream-like motifs of goodness, guidance, and the human condition. Her writing, infused with echoes of Hindu and Buddhist myths, is deeply satisfying and transformative." - Gwyn Cready, RITA Award Winning Author 

"Chance Meetings is an evocative and thought-provoking collection: A delicious blending of cultures, delicately rendered and rich with sensory detail." Meredith Mileti, Author of Aftertaste

Story Summaries: 

Secret Healer: One small town boy’s journey from the innocence of childhood to the injustices of servitude before finding shelter with an old man.

Cadmium and Crimson: Two sculptors, one goal—to make masterpieces in three dimensions. The older dedicates his life to art and his younger contemporary to success. Where do their intentions lead them?

Blackened Mirror: A successful artist discovers his authentic self.

A Chance Meeting: A young man treats a total stranger the way he wants to be treated without expecting anything in return to amazing effect.

Yellow Jacket: The protagonist is unable to resolve the guilt caused by the jealousy toward his younger brother as a result of his sudden death.

The Thug: In an intense, frightful hour, a woman realizes the folly of gossip.

A Precious Gift: After her son’s death, a distraught woman learns from her old mother how to cope with loss.

An American Dialogue
A synchronic event changes a prejudiced woman’s beliefs about a man from a religion other than her own.

Darkness Behind Eyes: At the age of seventy-two, the deep driving desire of a woman who has wanted to learn to read since her teen years helps her achieve her goal.

Gauri’s Freedom: An arranged marriage dramatically alters a young woman’s plans for her life until she meets another woman by chance who inspires her to take her life into her own hands through determination and self-sufficiency.

Cycle of Life: A young, idealistic woman learns why and how life goes on despite suffering, anguish and physical pain.

Portable Shrine: A writer discovers she is capable of more than she thought through the life lessons learned by the characters in her novel.

Read an excerpt HERE

About the author


A Historian of Asian Religions and Indian Art, Madhu B. Wangu taught Hindu and Buddhist art at Wheaton College, Wellesley, University of Rhode Island and University of Pittsburgh. She has published four non-fiction books and numerous essays in scholarly anthologies. “Chance Meetings” is her debut story collection.

Find the author on the following sites...



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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.



NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY
Signed Book Giveaway - 3 Winners !!

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Ending on Sunday 21st June at 11.59pm EST


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66 comments :

Lois Alter Mark said...

Wow, that book sounds fascinating. Definitely adding it to my summer reading list.

XmasDolly said...

That books sounds like a bunch of short stories, but I'm just not into those types of readings, but for someone who is I bet they would be thrilled to get this one. Thanks for sharing.

just the woods said...

wow! sounds great! lately all i get to read is dr suess books.. It would be great to get some adult reading in

Angelic Sinova said...

I love discovering a new short story or novel series! I'll have to add some of Wangu's stories to my summer reading list <3

Unknown said...

This sounds like such a great book! I love reading short stories! I have entered the contest! Thanks for the great review and the awesome giveaway!

Unknown said...

This book sounds interesting! Love this idea and would add this to my reading list.

Stephanie said...

I love reading - unfortunately I haven't read a book in about 20 years because I feel guilty reading when there are so many things that need to be done around here.. Maybe I should try short stories and then I wouldn't feel so guilty.

Beck Valley Books said...

This was such a joy to read, I loved the depth and meaning with each story, great book.

Masshole Mommy said...

That sounds like a book I'd love. I will have to get a copy!

Eat To Live said...

I was starting to read again more frequently. Then warm weather came!! Cleaning, gardening and vacations.... Come to think of it... I need to get some books together for my vacation that is coming up.

Joanne T Ferguson said...

What a great review! I am always after that next interesting read and will have to check this title and author out more too!

Eat To Live said...

It was a super review Joanne. I had never heard of the author, but Michele always lets us know about the great new authors.

Jeannette said...

I'm putting together my summer reading list now and I think I going to have to add this! I love that it's shorter stories - perfect for beach reading!

Unknown said...

This sounds like some great summer reading. Thank you for the review, looking forward to checking it out.

jaime said...

It's been a while since I've read short stories. These sound interesting and easy to read for summer.

kathie said...

I loved Madhu's short stories, too!!! Each and every one is its own little world. And I agree with commenters who said that the idea of reading something short is refreshing and easy.

Madhu Bazaz Wangu said...

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MIKII, FOR INTRODUCING MY DEBUT COLLECTION!!

I'm elated that so many of you are planning to read CHANCE MEETINGS during summer months. Thank you!
When you finish reading the book please come back to this website and let us know your thoughts about the stories.

And Stephanie, the reason I wrote the stories was to help readers like you to eliminate their feelings of guilt, fear, anger, jealousy or shame. So, this collection would be a perfect read for you.

Read, and have a most enjoyable summer!

Madhu

Scott said...

Interesting in that it has 12 main characters. That seems pretty unique!

Katherine Bartlett said...

I haven't been able to read in a while since it hurts my eyes. I'm glad you liked it though!

Unknown said...

I think I like the idea of this book. Short stories that you can get through quickly so you don't have to wait for the ending.

Unknown said...

What a great collection of stories. I love that you get to follow the lives of 12 people.

Michelle F.

Liz Mays said...

Each perspective sounds unique and very interesting. It will be awesome to see how the themes converge.

Crystal said...

I like to read this type of book. It's a great talking point and really gets you thinking. The different perspectives sound like they'll add a lot.

Heather Jones said...

Well they do sound interesting. I like para less, they are great teaching tools.

Anne | HealthySouthernMama.com said...

These sound very interesting. I will have to check them out!

Stefany T said...

This is such a unique idea. I read a ton and honestly can say that it is different than anything I have read before. I'll have to check it out!

Six Time Mommy TEST said...

I have been reading so much lately! It's been really fun. I will have to check this out, it looks like one I'll enjoy! - jeanine

Christi at SexyMoxieMama.com said...

I always love these book reviews that you post. I have been reading a lot more lately and was looking for a book similar to this one. I will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing.

Melanie Payne said...

Another book that I must add to the read pile! This sounds like a good read

Connie said...

Looks like a great one to add to the summer reading list. Love your review.

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

Great giveaway. I will add this to my list of contenders!

Amber N said...

That looks like a great giveaway. Would love to read this one.

Denise C said...

I haven't read short stories since high school. This sounds like a very interesting collection!

Tough Cookie Mommy said...

I love books that are autographed by the author. It is such a wonderful keepsake for years to come.

Tough Cookie Mommy said...

Also, I love this collection because the plot is intriguing. Could you suggest more titles from this author?

Theresa Mahoney said...

I used to hate short stories, but find as I get older, they are so perfect for when you are super busy, but still want to squeeze some reading in. This sounds like an excellent book to have around the house to pick up now and again!

Amanda said...

This sounds like a really interesting collection. As a teacher I loved teaching parables and other short stories, but I really prefer a novel when reading for enjoyment. I guess I really like being able to get into a character's mindset at great length.

Amanda
www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com

Casa Vilora Interiors said...

Sounds like an interesting book. Not necessarily my genre but a good book is a good book

Madhu Bazaz Wangu said...

It has been a glorious day! Thanks everyone for your comments!
I would like everyone to know that for the next two weeks CHANCE MEETINGS ebook is discounted from $5.99 to $0.99.

Again, thank you so much Miki (sorry about misspelling your name earlier) for inviting me to your website and posting my book!

All the best and good luck!
Madhu

April Grant said...

Looks like a great read. It's awesome to be able to read some short stories to get a whole story under you belt in a short time.

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book. Every now and then I like to sit back and think about the people around me and how it is that we have met. You never know why someone walked into your life but there is usually a reason they did.

CourtneyLynne said...

Oooo this book sounds pretty interesting!! Hoping I win your giveaway. Definitely wanna check this book out!

James said...

Sounds like an interesting book - it's always interesting looking at different ways of thinking.

Jenny @cookeatgo said...

This sounds like an amazing read. Great giveaway too thanks you for hosting the giveaway!!

Ann B said...

This sounds like a fantastic book. I will have to check it out on my next trip to the book store.

Housewife Eclectic said...

Sounds interesting! I love the cover!

Mama to 5 said...

Sounds like a very interesting read. With many small stories rolled into one!

Jaime Nicole said...

Fascinating premise for the writing. I love books written by people from people with backgrounds different than my own. It's so rewarding to read such great literature.

Maria said...

I love short stories! It allows me to read and come back without feeling lost within the book.

Unknown said...

I love stories like this!

The Mid-Atlantic Foodie said...

At first glance it's not something I normally would read, but after reading this post, and the excerpt, I seriously cannot wait to dive into this book.

Ourfamilyworld said...

I cannot wait to read this book. I love learning through characters that went through this kind of emotions

Kristi Dominguez said...

This sounds like a great book! I'll be looking more into it for sure!

Fiona said...

Great review! I've just begun reading again as a hobby and am always looking for new book suggestions. I must look for this in my local book store.

Unknown said...

Our backgrounds definitely affect our perception - and that impacts how we see these parables.

Chubskulit Rose said...

It would probably take me a couple of times to read this kind of book to sink in to my brain lol.

Lesley said...

I love short stories. I will be adding these to the list!

Rebecca Swenor said...

Short stories can be so much fun to read indeed. This story seems like the true story of live with something some of us are lucky to figure out soon there later. I will have to look into this for sure. Thanks for shairng.

HilLesha O'Nan said...

Thank you for the review. I always enjoy hearing about the new books that are out!

It's a MOM thing Reviews! said...

I love short stories because they are easy to read when you know you will be taking frequent breaks from reading. (which is common when you are a parent, haha). This sounds really interesting! Thank you so much for sharing your review, it is always hard to pick new stories to read, so recommendations are helpful!

Lesley said...

I love short stories like this. I'm going to add this to my reading list.

Madhu Bazaz Wangu said...

Hi All,
Thanks for leaving exciting and interesting comments!
I'd like to remind those of you who plan to read Chance Meetings that it has been discounted to $0.99 for the first week of June!

Hope to see you all at my website:
www.mindful-writers.com

Have a wonderful summer!
Madhu Bazaz Wangu

jared's mum said...

this looks like something i'd enjoy reading! hopefully i'd stumble on a free copy for Kindle! :)

awesome giveaway, too! good luck to all the participants! :)

bn100 said...

any of them

Mai T. said...

Cycle of Life is the most intriguing to me.

The Mommy-Files said...

Sounds like a great book and a great giveaway! I would love to check it out.

 
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